Strip feeding device



Jan. 5, 1954 w METZNER 2,664,988

STRIP FEEDING DEVICE Filed June 10, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ALBERT W ME TZNER tYQ-Womm A TORNEY Jan. 5, 1954 A. w. M ETZNER STRIP FEEDING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 10, 1946 Fig.5

INVENTOR $55 W METZNER A ORNEY Patented Jan. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,664,988 STRIP FEEDING DEVICE corporation of Ohio Application June 10, 1946, Serial N0.-675,592

12 Claims. 1

This invention pertains to record strip feeding devices for recording and imprintingiapparatus, and more particularly to strip tensioning means for initially zig-zag folded record strips to prevent interference of the out folds thereof with the ink ribbon or hectograph transfer strip of either direct or offset recording methodsas the out folds of the record strip traverse the platen roll.

The present invention is applicable to conventional ty-pewriting machines and to tabulating and bookkeeping machines and analogous apparatus employing record material withdrawn from zig-zag folded packets thereof. .In such material supply the alternate folds which are outwardly directed and sharply creased, do not closely conform to the surface of the platen roll. The projecting sharply creased folds of the record strips engage the transversely disposed ink ribbon or the hectograph transfer .strip and its travel is momentarily retarded, or the transfer strip and sometimes the record strip may become torn or mutilated. Likewise the reproduction upon the area spaced away from the platen roll by the fold, and not uniformly supported may be blurred or indistinct. In the present instance these difiiculties are obviated by maintaining the record strip under tension as it passes the writing or recording position contiguous to the inked ribbon or transfer strip.

The object of the invention is to .improve the construction as Well as the means and mode of operation of strip feeding apparatus, whereby it may not only be economically manufactured, but will be more efficient in use, automatic in operation, uniform in action, having minimum working parts and be unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to improve the strip feeding conditions by advancing the strip under tension straight upwardly in a plane tangential to the rotary platen roll.

A further object of the invention is to provide a braking or' retarding means for the advancing strip to prevent accumulation of slack in the record strip as it passes the writing position and the ink ribbon or transfer strip.

A further object of the invention is to provide record strip traction means in oifset spaced relation with a pin type registering platen roll.

A further primary object of the invention is to automatically eliminate the out fold conformation of the record strip as it passes about the platen roll and past the ink ribbon or transfer tape.

A further object of the "invention is toprovide a record strip feeding means embodying the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein .set forth, or their equivalents.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as willmore fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protectedfby Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and .the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described or "illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

'In the accompanying "drawings, wherein is shown the preferredbut not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

"Fig. 1 is a perspective View of .a portion of a conventional tabulator or accounting machine in which the present invention is embodied.

.Fig. 2 is va side elevationof a portion of an imprinting machine assembly incorporating the present invention.

Fig. '3 is a detail sectional view thereof incorporating ,a brake or yielding resistance means engaging the record strip to maintain the tension thereof whilebeing advanced by traction meansoffset'beyond the platen r011.

Fig. 4 is aperspective view, somewhat diagrammatic, of the traction strip advancing means removed from the machine.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of a portion of .an imprinting apparatus embodying the strip retarding or braking means but omitting the traction strip advancing means.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the strip retarding or braking means removed from the machine.

)Fig. 7 is .a view somewhat-diagrammatic showing a recordstrip out fold passing the platen roll.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to thedrawings, l indicates a typical tabulating machine, of which 2 is the intermittently advanced rotary platen, with which a series of reciprocatory type bars 3 cooperate to imprint a record strip 4 intermittently advance-i intermediate the platen roll 2 and type bars In this instance superposed record strips are withdrawn .from a Supply packet 5 wherein the record strips 4 .are interfolded in .zig-zag form. The strips are reversely folded and sharply creased at intervals, as at 6 and i in '1. The alternate creased folds are directed out wardly as shown in Fig. 7 and intermediate 55 folds tend to project inwardly against the piaten roll. It is the former which affords the greatest difficulty and interferes most with the ink ribbon or transfer strip 8 which overlies the record strips 4 or extends therebetween. The present invention is intended to obviate this difiiculty.

The superposed record strips 4 when withdrawn from the zig-zag folded supply packet pass from the rear beneath the platen roll 2, and thence preferably upwardly in a substantially vertical plane tangential to the platen roll. They may however be directed rearwardly over the top of the platen roll, as shown in Fig. 5.

To maintain registry of the superposed record strips 4 as they pass the writing or imprinting position, the platen roll 2 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with peripherally spaced radial pins 9 progressively engageable in marginally punched holes lll in the record strips. The registering pins may be fixed in the platen roll or may be retractable. This is a well known expedient which forms no part, per se, of the instant invention.

In Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 there are shown a pair of frictional traction rollers H and i2, located in spaced relation above the platen roll 2 between which the record strips 4 progressively pass as they travel away from the platen roll.

The cooperating traction friction rolls H and I2 are carried by interpivoted levers i3 and M respectively, and are contacted into frictional pressure with the intermediate strips 4 by retracting springs l5. The shaft of the lowermost roller l2 carries a pulley [6 connected by a drive belt :7 with a corresponding pulley [8 on the platen roll 2. As the platen roll is rotated by the usual line spacing mechanism of the writing or imprinting machine, the feeding roller i2 is rotated in unison therewith. The proportions of the pulleys l5 and I3 are such that the peripheral speed of the traction rollers II and 2 is preferably, but not necessarily, slightly greater than that of the platen roll. The intent is that the record strips, as they pass about the platen roll and past the ink ribbon or transfer strips, are maintained under tension sufficient to take up the slack incident to the folds of the strips and thus enable the strips to pass smoothly and uniformly past the ink ribbon or transfer strips and prevent engagement or interference thereof which might tear or mutilate one or the other.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the traction roller carrying arms i3 and M are adjustable relative to the frame of the machine and are interchangeably engageable in any one of a series of notches E9 in the machine frame.

Supplemental to the overhead traction feed rolls It and i2, brake or strip retarding means, affording yielding resistance to the advancement of the strips, to be overcome by the traction rollers is preferably provided.

A series of spring fingers 20-20 may be positioned to frictionally engage the advancing strips under pressure beneath the platen roll as shown in Fig. 5. In event the strips are advanced by the pin type platen roll having engagement with the strips beyond the ink ribbon or transfer strips, the overhead traction feeding rollers H and I2 may be omitted and the frictional pressure brake or retarding fingers 2t employed, as shown in Fig. 5. In such event the feeding pins 9 tension the strips against the yielding resistance of the spring fingers 2ll-2i sufficiently to eliminate the out turned folds as these areas of the strips pass the ink ribbon or transfer strips.

The traction feed rollers and the frictional pressure fingers 23- 20 may be used conjointly, or either feature may be employed independently of the other.

As shown in Fig. 3 the registering pins 9 engage the record strip in its approach to the recording position and the ink ribbon or transfer strip, and yieldingly resist the advancement of the strip by the frictional feeding rollers ll and 12. The record strip is thereby maintained under sufficient tension to distend the folds G and 1 into substantial conformity with the surface of the platen roll 2 while they pass the recording position thereby preventing interference of the strip and the ink ribbon or transfer strip with each other. The pins S of Fig. 3 duofunctionally maintain the superposed record strips in registry, and additionally perform the function of the brake fingers 28 in yieldingly resisting the pulling effect of the accelerated frietional rollers ll--l2 to maintain the strips under tension.

In either form of apparatus the strip feeding means is located at the advance side of the recording position and the ink ribbon or transfer strip, and strip resistance or retarding means engages with the strip at the rear or approaching side of the recording position and the ink ribbon or transfer strip, thereby straining the strip therebetween to distend the intermediate folds thereof.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A record strip feeding apparatus, wherein a record strip having therein a succession of reverse folds is progressively advanoed about a platen roll and past a recording position under tension sufficient to distend the folds thereof out of interfering relation with an ink ribbon or transfer strip contiguous to the recording position, including a pair of frictional strip feeding rollers having engagement with the strip beyond the platen roll and the recording position to which the strip is advanced in a plane tangential to the platen roll, and means relative to which the platen roll is movable cooperating with the platen roll to yieldingly resist the advancement of the strip under influence of the frictional strip feeding rollers, the construction and arrangement being such that the strip is maintained under tension with the folds thereof distended while passing the recording position and the ink ribbon or transfer strip to prevent interference therewith.

2. A strip feeding means wherein a continuous record strip having a series of folds therein is progressively advance'd about a revoluble pin type platen roll, the pins of which are :progressively engageable I with longitudinally spaced configurations in the strip as-it :approachesa recording position, and relative to an ink ribbon or transfer strip contiguous thereto, strip feeding means engageable with the strip as it advances from the platen roll and recording position tending to advance the strip at a rate of speed greater than the strip passes about the platen roll, and strip engagin pins in the platen roll engaging a portion of the strip advancing toward the recording position, and restraining the strip to the rate'of advancement ofthe platen roll, the construction and arrangement being such that the portion'of thestrip intermediate the strip feeding means and the point of engagement of the platen roll pins is maintained under tension and the folds therein distendedas they pass the reccrdingposition relative-to the ink ribbon or transfer strip. y

3. A strip feeding'means wherein a continuous record strip having therein successive folds is progressively advanced about a revoluble platen roll as it approaches a recording position relative to a contiguous ink ribbon or a transfer strip, including strip feeding means relative to which the platen roll is movable engageable with the strip as it advances from the recording position and a series of spring fingers pressing the portion of the strip advancing toward the recording position against the under side of the platen roll and thereby yieldingly resisting the advancement of the strip under influence of the strip feeding means, to maintain the portion of the strip intermediate the strip feeding means and that engaged by the spring fingers under tension and the folds therein distended as they pass the recording position and the contiguous ink ribbon or transfer strip.

4. A strip feeding apparatus wherein a record strip having therein a succession of reverse folds is progressively advanced about a platen past a recording position including strip tensioning means for distending the folds thereof as they pass the recording position, to prevent interference of the strip folds with an ink ribbon or transfer strip contiguous to the recording position, comprising strip feeding means located beyond the recording position and relative to which the platen is movable, and strip retarding means adjacent the recording position at the strip approach side thereof relative to which the platen is movable, yieldingly resisting the influence of the strip feeding means to maintain the intermediate portion of the strip under tension and the intermediate folds thereof distended as they pass the recording position.

5. A strip feeding apparatus wherein a record strip having therein a succession of folds is progressively advanced past a recording position and relative to an ink ribbon or transfer strip contiguous to the recording position, including a pair of coacting frictional feed rolls located in spaced relation beyond the platen roll in the direction of advancement of the strip, the strip advancing in a plane tangential to the platen roll intermediate the platen roll and the friction feed rolls, and strip engaging means relative to which the platen roll is movable yieldingly maintaining the strip in engagement with the under side of the platen roll and yieldingly resisting the traction effect of the feed rolls to maintain the intermediate portion of the strip under tension and thefolds thereof dis tended" while they pass the ink ribbon .or transfer. .strip.

.6. A stripfeeding' apparatus wherein a record strip aha'ving': therein a succession of folds 'is progressivelywadvanced about. a platen roll and pastearecording position relative to .an ink ribbon TOIJ transfer strip contiguousto the recording'; position, :including. strip. feeding means .and strip :detent means. relative to which the platen rollis movable, said detent means resiliently. restraining advancement of the strip .by the strip feeding means toa speed uniform with that of theplaten roll thereby maintaining successive portions of the 'strip under tension and thetfolds therein distended while they pass the recording position' and the ink ribbon or transfer :strip contiguous thereto.

7'. A strip feeding apparatus wherein aocontinuous record strip having a series of foldstherein isprogressively advanced about-a rrevolubl'e platen. roll past a recording'position 'relativelto an ink ribbon :or transfer strip contiguous thereto, including strip'feeding meanslocatedibeyon'd the recording position and relative to which the platen roll is movable, strip brake means relative to which the platen roll is movable engaging the strip at the approach side of the recording position, yieldingly resisting the advancement of the strip under influence of the strip feeding means, the construction and arrangement being such that the intermediate portion of the strip is maintained under tension and the folds therein distended as they pass the recording position and relative to the ink ribbon or transfer strip contiguous thereto.

8. A strip feeding apparatus wherein a. continuous record strip having a series of folds therein is progressively advanced past a. recording.

position to an ink ribbon or transfer strip contiguous thereto, including frictional strip feeding means located beyond the recording position, and movable pins engaging the strip at the approach side of the recording position, yieldingly resisting the advancement of the strip under influence of the strip feeding means to maintain the intermediate portion of the strip under tension and the folds therein distended as they pass the recording position relative to the ink ribbon or transfer strip contiguous thereto.

9. A strip feeding means wherein a continuous record strip having therein a succession of folds is progressively advanced past a platen roll and recording position contiguous to an ink ribbon or transfer strip, including on opposite sides of the recording position strip feeding means and strip tensioning means relative to which the platen roll is movable and which in cooperation with the platen roll maintain progressively successive portions of the strip under tension and the folds therein distended as they pass the recording position and contiguous to the ink ribbon or transfer strip.

10. Strip feeding means for a writing machine wherein a continuous record strip having a series of folds therein is progressively advanced about a platen roll and past a recording position, including strip gripping means relative to which the platen roll is revoluble, the gripping means being engageable with the strip on opposite sides of the recording position cooperating with the platen to tension the portion of the strip intermediate the gripping means and maintain the folds thereof distended while passing the recording position.

11. Strip feeding means for a writing machine wherein a continuous record strip having a series of folds therein is progressively advanced about a platen roll and past a recording position, including strip feeding means located at one side of the recording position relative to which the platen roll is revoluble and strip retarding means adjacent the recording position on the opposite side thereof relative to which the platen roll is revoluble, the construction and arrangement being such that the retarding device resists advancement of the strip by the feeding means to thereby maintain the folds of the strip distended while passing the recording position.

12. Strip feeding means for a writing machine having a platen about which a continuous record strip having a series of folds therein is progressively advanced past a recording position, including a feeding device located at one side of the recording position and relative to which the platen is movable, and retarding means on the opposite side of the recording position relative to which the platen is movable cooperating with the platen to resist the advancement of the strip under influence of the feeding means, the construction and arrangement being such that the strip is progressively tensioned intermediate the feeding and retarding means while passing the recording position.

ALBERT W. METZNER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 658,931 Stickney Oct. 2, 1900 833,840 Kunath Oct. 23, 1906 1,987,484 McMurry Jan. 8, 1935 2,000,651 Sherman May '7, 1935 2,046,695 Mottram July 7, 1936 2,076,022 Hagemann Apr. 6, 1937 2,130,015 Jensen Sept. 13, 1938 2,136,820 Mabon Nov. 15, 1938 2,208,964 Doty et al. July 23, 1940 2,274,834 Ira Mar, 3, 1942 2,327,480 Whitehead Aug. 24, 1943 2,401,596 Winter June 4, 1946 

